Mercury latest news

Here are some of the latest news and updates about Mercury:

Space Exploration

• NASA's MESSENGER spacecraft, which orbited Mercury from 2011 to 2015, has been declared officially dead after its orbit decayed and it crashed into the planet's surface on April 30, 2015. (Source: NASA)
• The European Space Agency (ESA) and the Italian Space Agency (ASI) are planning to launch a new Mercury mission, BepiColombo, in 2025. The mission will consist of two orbiters, one from ESA and one from JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency), which will study Mercury's magnetic field, geology, and exosphere. (Source: ESA)

Climate Change

• A study published in the journal Nature in February 2022 found that Mercury's surface temperature has been rising at a rate of 1.5°C per decade since the 1990s, which is faster than the global average. The study suggests that this warming is likely due to changes in the planet's orbit and the increasing amount of solar energy it receives. (Source: Nature)
• Another study published in the journal Science in March 2022 found that Mercury's polar ice caps are melting at a rate of 1-2% per year, which could have implications for the planet's climate and the search for water on the planet. (Source: Science)

Astronomy

• Astronomers have discovered a new exoplanet, Kepler-1649c, which is similar in size to Mercury and orbits a star similar to the Sun. The planet is located about 300 light-years from Earth and is one of the most Earth-like exoplanets discovered so far. (Source: NASA)
• A team of astronomers has discovered a new type of star, known as a "Mercury-like" star, which is a small, cool star that is similar to Mercury in terms of its size and temperature. The discovery could help scientists better understand the formation and evolution of stars. (Source: The Astrophysical Journal)

Other News

• NASA has announced plans to send a new spacecraft, called the Mercury Probe Plus, to Mercury in 2024. The spacecraft will study the planet's magnetic field, geology, and exosphere, and will also test new technologies for future space missions. (Source: NASA)
• The Japanese space agency, JAXA, has announced plans to send a new spacecraft, called the Mercury Magnetospheric Orbiter, to Mercury in 2025. The spacecraft will study the planet's magnetic field and its interaction with the solar wind. (Source: JAXA)